Expert Analysis of Noteworthy Cases
Welcome to the new Media Alerts on Federal Courts of Appeals Website of the ABA Standing Committee on Federal Judicial Improvements. This website is designed to provide reporters, lawyers, educators, and the public with prompt, accurate, unbiased information about newsworthy and legally significant cases pending in and decided by the Federal Courts of Appeals. Our goal is to assist the media’s efforts to provide timely and extensive reporting about federal court decisions. Use this website to find short summaries of recent opinions of public interest and noteworthy cases pending oral argument.
There are twelve regional circuit courts of appeal and a special circuit court for patent and other specialized appeals. These courts, which are at the level just below the United States Supreme Court, hear direct appeals from federal district courts and federal administrative agencies.
Currently, the website covers the Third, Fifth, and Ninth Circuits, and is a pilot program. If successful, we plan to expand coverage to include the other circuits. From time to time, we will also include significant district court cases. Of course, the cases selected represent just a small fraction of the more than 61,000 cases filed last year in the Federal Courts of Appeals. For example, in 2008, 4,054 cases were filed in the Third Circuit, 7,667 in the Fifth Circuit, and 13,577 in the Ninth Circuit.
Cases are selected and summarized by distinguished law professors, supported by their students. The content contributors are:
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Third Circuit: |
Temple University Beasley School of Law |
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Fifth Circuit: |
The University of Texas School of Law |
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Ninth Circuit: |
University of San Diego School of Law and
University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law |
The ABA extends its deepest gratitude to these institutions for their participation in this endeavor.
To start receiving case alerts, simply log in with your ABA Username and Password. If you do not have a Username or Password, you may sign up easily by clicking here. ABA membership is not required.
We welcome comments and suggestions about the site.
To access cases in a Circuit, click on the Circuit number on the Circuit Map below.
